The only hesitation anyone at US Soccer could’ve had over the hiring of Emma Hayes to coach the women’s national team would be the timing.
Hayes will remain at Chelsea through the end of the club season. Then she’ll have only four games in charge before the 2024 Olympics.
The consensus in the US soccer world, expressed most directly by longtime US player Tobin Heath, is that the US are essentially sacrificing a good shot at Olympic gold for the greater good.
Don’t be too sure.
Four games, four days – it hardly matters. Hayes can absolutely lead the US team to gold in Paris next year.
